NATIONAL TALENT SEARCH EXAMINATION
( NTSE )

National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is one of the most prestigious national level scholarship programs. Its aim is to identify talented individuals and nurture them. This exam is conducted by National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT) for Std. 10th students. The exam is held on two stages viz. Stage 1 (State/UT level) and Stage 2 (National level). Every year about 50 Lakh candidates apply for this program and roughly 1000 candidates are awarded this scholarship. This article will provide you with all the details regarding NTSE.

Eligibility Criteria for ntse :

Candidates currently studying in Std. 10th can apply for the NTSE. The stage 1 of the NTSE examination is conducted by different states/UT, thus depending upon the location of your school, you can apply for the examination. There is no domicile restriction for the examination. Candidates registered under Open Distance Learning (ODL) are also eligible for this scholarship, provided he/she is less than 18 years of age, unemployed and appearing for the Std. 10th examination for the first time.

Selection Process :

The selection process of NTSE has two stages viz. Stage 1 and 2. Stage 1 is conducted by the State/ UT and stage 2 is conducted by the NCERT. Only the students qualifying stage 1 are eligible for stage 2 and the students qualifying stage 2 would be awarded the scholarship. The qualifying marks for a general category candidate are 40% and for SC/ST/PH candidate is 35%.

Language Test: It is qualifying in nature and the marks obtained for the language test will not be counted for the final selection.

Number of Scholarships awarded :

Every year 1000 Scholarships are awarded, the amount of the scholarship is as follows :

• Scholarship of Rs. 1250 per month for 11th and 12th Std.

• Scholarship of Rs. 2000 per month for UG and PG.

• Scholarship for Ph.D. will be fixed as per the UGC norms.

NTSE Reservations :

• 15% scholarship for the SC category.

• 5% scholarship for the ST category.

• 4% for Physically challenged group of students.

NTSE Exam Paper Pattern :

• STAGE 1 ( STATE / UT LEVEL ) :

  This stage will comprise of 3 papers viz. Mental Aptitude Test (MAT), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and Language Test (English/Hindi)

  PAPER	TEST	NUMBER OF QUESTIONS	MARKS	DURATION
  Paper 1	Mental Aptitude Test (MAT)	50	50	45 Minutes
  Paper 2	Language Test (English/Hindi)	50	50	45 Minutes
  	Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)	100	100	90 Minutes




• STAGE 2 ( NATIONAL LEVEL ) :

  The pattern will be similar to stage 1 but there will be negative marking for this stage. 1/3rd marks would be deducted for every wrong answer and no marks would be deducted for un-attempted questions.

NTSE Syllabus :

National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is an examination under the NTS scheme to award scholarships to students at the 10th Std. level. National Council of Educational Research and Training has released the NTSE syllabus. As we know NTSE broadly consists of two sections 1) Mental Ability Test (MAT), 2) Scholastic Ability Test (SAT). The questions are Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ’s). Further, the MAT section would consist of, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning and SAT section would consist of Language Test, Mathematics, Social Sciences and Science. The detailed syllabus for all the subjects is given below :

• MENTAL ABILITY TEST ( MAT ) :

  This section would test your reasoning ability, ability to judge, think, evaluate a given situation. It will also test your observation skills i.e. ability to visualize space and spatial orientation etc. The section-wise syllabus is as follows :

  
  

  VERBAL REASONING	NON - VERBAL REASONING
  Alphabet Test	Analogy
  Analogy	Analytical reasoning
  Analytical reasoning	Classification
  Arithmetical Reasoning test	Dot fixing situation
  Blood Relations	Imbedded Figure
  Classification	Folding paper cutting
  Coding-Decoding	Incomplete Figures
  Direction Sense Test	Mirror Images
  Inserting a missing character	Problems on cubes and dice
  Logical sequence of words	Series
  Logical Venn Diagram	Transparent paper folding
  Mathematical Operations	Water Images
  Clocks
  Puzzle Test
  Series Completion Test
  Tests
  Verification of truth of the statement




• SCHOLASTIC ABILITY TEST (SAT) AND LANGUAGE TEST :

  SAT test will have language test, which will test the comprehension skills, logical sequencing, and interpretation skills for a language. The language test is conducted in English or Hindi (as per the candidate). The second section of SAT would test you in fields of Mathematics, Science, Social Science. The detailed section-wise syllabus is as follows :

  
  

  LANGUAGE TEST	MATHEMATICS	SCIENCE
  Synonyms	Algebraic Expressions	Acid Bases and Salt
  Antonyms	Arithmetic	Air
  Reading Comprehension	Arithmetic Progressions	Carbon and its Compounds
  Sentence Completion	Basic Geometry	Cellular Level of Organisation
  One word substitution	Circles	Diversity in Living Organisms
  Grammar	Coordinate Geometry	Fibres and Plastics
  Rearrangement of Jumbled Words	Direct & inverse variation	Food Production & Management
  	Exponent	Heredity and Evolution
  	Linear Equation	Human Body
  	Mensuration	Life Processes
  	Number System	Light
  	Percentage & its Application	Magnetism & Electricity at Work
  	Playing with Numbers	Measurement
  	Probability	Metals & Non Metals
  	Quadratic Equations	Micro-organisms
  	Rational Numbers	Motion and Force
  	Simple Interest & Compound interest	Our Environment
  	Square Root & Cube Root	Periodic Classification of Elements
  	Statistics	Physical and Chemical Changes
  	Surface Areas and Volumes	Plant and Animal Nutrition
  	Triangles	Reproduction
  	Trigonometry	Soil
  		Some Common Diseases
  		Sound
  		Source of Energy
  		Structure of Atom
  		The Universe
  		Water
  		Work and Energy




• SOCIAL SCIENCES :

  
  

  HISTORY	CIVICS	GEOGRAPHY
  Culture, Science, and Literature	Democracy	Agriculture
  Early Medieval Period	Diversity and Livelihood	Atmosphere
  Indus Valley Civilization	Economic Presence of the Government	Industries
  Introduction and Sources of Ancient Indian History	India and its Neighbors	Internal Structure of the Earth and Rocks
  Jainism, Buddhism, and Conquerors from Distant Lands	Indian Constitution	Major Domains and Landforms
  Medieval Architecture and Culture	State Government	Maps and Globe
  National Movement	The Judiciary	Motion of the Earth
  New Empires and Kingdoms	UN and International Agencies	Natural Vegetation
  Popular Movements and Social Reforms	Union Government	Our Country – India
  Revolt of 1857		Our Environment
  The Mauryas		Resources and Development
  The Mughal Empire		Solar System
  Vedic Period

Selection Process :

KVPY has a two stage selection process: aptitude test and personal interview. After clearing both of these stages, you would be eligible for the KVPY scholarship. The candidates clearing the cut-off for the prescribed stream would be eligible for the personal interview. The results of both will determine one’s selection for the scholarship.

Cut-off marks for KVPY 2016-17 :

Cut-off marks for the aptitude test of KVPY 2016 are mentioned below for all the categories.

KVPY 2017 Merit List :

The candidates who have qualified for the second round will move to the interview stage i.e. the final stage for the selection process. Based on the performance of the candidate in the interview stage a final merit will be prepared. For the merit list calculation, 75% weightage will be given to the aptitude test and 25% to the interview.

The KVPY 2017 Merit list will be prepared category-wise and stream-wise. Candidates can check the KVPY 2017 merit list in the month of April 2018. The final result will have the names of the candidates who have got selected for the KVPY fellowship. The KVPY 2017 Merit list will be available here, once released.

What to do after the release of merit list ?

For SA stream: If your name appears in the SA stream, you must take the admission into the below-mentioned courses. Your scholarship will commence in August 2019 after your successful admission to the undergraduate full-time Basic Science courses listed below :

For SX/SB streams: If your name appears in the SX/SB streams, you will avail the fellowship from August 2018, if you opt for the below-mentioned undergraduate courses. You will have to contact the KVPY office, after which they will forward the required forms for the commencement of the fellowship :